Daily
Roanoke
Thursday, January 1st, 2026
Good morning, Roanoke. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 1st of January.
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Downtown's former First National Exchange Bank is now the Exchange Music Hall, a venue and boutique hotel that opens tonight with a sold-out concert by Grace Potter & Holy Roller. A restaurant will soon join the new music scene at the corner of Jefferson and Campbell. WFIR News
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Louisa County Public Schools embraced AI last fall by licensing SchoolAI for 500 staff and 5,200 students. Educator Kenny Bouwens said the tool saves time by aiding lesson planning and grading while he hosts forums to help teachers use the technology (a move following a fall 2025 College Board survey). WVTF
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ The new Baby Food Protection Act now in effect requires manufacturers to test for toxic elements in baby food and post monthly lab results on company websites & QR codes, banning any product that exceeds FDA limits; products made before today may still be sold until inventory runs out. WDBJ7
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K-Pop Glow Party and Laser Show
6-8 p.m. — Science Museum of Western Virginia — Family-friendly event — Experience an electrifying glow party with a mesmerizing laser light show set to K-Pop music.
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Speakeasy Jazz Nights
7-9:30 p.m. — The Pine Room at Hotel Roanoke — $40 ticket — Experience the charm of a pre-Prohibition jazz club featuring T-FOX & the Fox City Band.
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Do Portugal Circus
7:30-10:30 p.m. — Valley View Mall — Tickets available — Experience the excitement of a circus under the Big Top for the first time in Roanoke!
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Winter Majesty: A Cozy Paint & Sip Night
6-8 p.m. — Well Hung Vineyard - Restaurant — Check ticket price — Dive into a cozy painting session with splashes of winter colors.
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Do Portugal Circus
7:30-10:30 p.m. — Valley View Mall — Ticket prices vary — Experience the magic of Do Portugal Circus for the first time in Roanoke under the Big Top!
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Do Portugal Circus
7:30-10:30 p.m. — Valley View Mall — Tickets available — Experience the magic of the circus in Roanoke for the first time under the Big Top.
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Do Portugal Circus
7:30-10:30 p.m. — Valley View Mall — Tickets available — Experience the excitement of a circus performance in Roanoke for the first time ever.
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Public Ice Bumper Cars
12:30-6:30 p.m. — Berglund Center — $11 + fees — Experience the thrill of ice bumper cars, perfect for all ages.
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WNRN's Dead Air 5
5 PM — Jefferson Center — Proceeds support WNRN and local non-profits — Celebrate 30 years of WNRN with over 20 bands performing Grateful Dead tunes.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
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Reveal the authorAbout Daily Roanoke
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